Pune airport to set up a smoking zone

Sushant Ranjan

Wednesday, 19 July 2017

The airport officials observed that many passengers complain about the lack of space and no proper ventilation, that harms other passengers also. So, the decision has been taken to revamp the present smoking zone

Pune: After noticing an increasing number of people smoking outside the terminal in the airport premises, the airport authorities have decided to set up a smoking zone here.

The smoking lounge inside the terminal is also set to be revamped.

According to the officials, there is a smoking zone inside the premises but space is not sufficient to accommodate even 20 people.

“The airport officials observed that many passengers complain about the lack of space and no proper ventilation, that harms other passengers also. So, the decision has been taken to revamp the present smoking zone,” said the official.

The smoking zone will be on the first floor of the terminal building. The lounge will have an area of 12 sq m with extra ventilation facility.

“We have received suggestions from passengers to revamp or set up new smoking zone. We have decided to make the existing one more spacious.

It will be fitted with a non-re circulating exhaust ventilation system or an air cleaning system, or a combination of the two, to ensure that the air discharges only in a manner that does not re-circulate or transfer it from a smoking area or space to non-smoking areas,” said Ajay Kumar, Director Pune Airport.

Besides this, the airport authorities have also decided that to set up a zone outside the terminal building.

According to the airport officials, they have observed that many passengers come to the airport earlier than their scheduled flights.

“After coming early, some passengers start smoking in the airport premises. Hence, airport authorities have decided to set up a smoking zone where they can smoke,” said a senior official of the airport.